Princess of England. Daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Married the 27 years older Henry the Lion, Duke of Brunswick on Feb 1, 1168. She became the progenitrix of all Guelphs. Her marriage founded the long alliance between the Angevin Kings and the Guelphs. In 1182 Henry was banned by the Emperor and went with wife to her fathers court. She first stayed in Caen and later in Argentan in the Normandy where she met Bertrand de Born a troubadour who dedicated one of his songs to her. In spring of 1184 she went with her father to England. Henry II. released Eleonore after 11 years imprisonment. Eleonore went to Winchester where mother and daughter met for the first timer after 16 years. In April 1184 she gave birth to her son Wilhelm in Winchester. Wilhelm became the progenitor of all Dukes of Brunswick and therefore of King George I. of England. In 1185 the couple returned to Germany. Their oldest son Heinrich of Hanover was the only of their children that that accompanied them. The other stayed in England, among them was Otto, who later became Holy Roman Emperor. Henry the Lion was banned again in 1189 and returned to England but Mathilde stayed in Brunswick. She died there just 8 days before her fathers death. (bio by: Lutetia)